Cobalt catalysts, and use thereof for the conversion of methanol to hydrocarbons, and for Fisher-Tropsch synthesis

A process useful for the conversion or methanol feed to hydrocarbons is described which comprises contacting the feed at reaction conditions with a catalyst which comprises cobalt, or cobalt and thoria in catalytically active amount composited with an inorganic oxide support, to which is added sufficient rhenium to obtain, with a similar feed at corresponding process conditions, improved activity, as contrasted with a catalyst composition otherwise similar except that it does not contain rhenium